Portugal to Tighten Citizenship and Family Reunification Rules Amid Immigration Reform Push

The Portuguese government has confirmed that it will introduce stricter rules for both citizenship applicants and those seeking family reunification, as part of a broader plan to reform the country’s immigration framework.

The measures were confirmed by António Leitão Amaro, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, who emphasized the government’s commitment to reassessing current laws. “Applicants for Portuguese citizenship will face tighter restrictions,” Amaro stated, pointing to significant changes in the pipeline for those seeking to become naturalized citizens.

While the minister did not elaborate on the full scope of the proposed amendments, he stressed that “the Nationality Law needs to be reviewed,” particularly in relation to the deadlines and the timeframe that applicants must fulfill to benefit from the law.

One of the most consequential changes expected is an extension of the required legal residency period before an individual can apply for Portuguese citizenship. Currently set at five years, the new residency requirement is expected to rise to ten years under the revised framework.

There has also been ongoing public debate regarding how the residency period is calculated—especially whether the time between applying for and receiving a residence permit should count towards the total. A petition has been circulating advocating for this interim period to be included in the calculation. However, according to the outcome of a meeting held on June 14, authorities are reportedly leaning toward not recognizing this interval as part of the legal residency time, which would, in effect, lengthen the path to citizenship even further.

These legislative efforts come in the wake of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s recent re-election on June 15, during which he pledged to prioritize immigration reform in his new mandate. His administration has made it clear that migration policy will now focus more narrowly on societal integration and capacity.

The government is also moving to tighten conditions for family reunification, a process currently used by many migrants to bring close relatives to Portugal. Officials argue that the country’s public services are struggling to keep up with demand. The reform agenda, therefore, seeks to recalibrate the balance between migration levels and the country’s integration capabilities.

As part of this recalibration, job-seeking visas will likely be restricted to highly qualified applicants, and new criteria such as language proficiency requirements may be introduced.

Authorities are looking to “promote and prioritise the attraction and retention of highly qualified foreign talent,” with a particular focus on individuals of Portuguese descent and members of the Portuguese diaspora.

This shift could have significant implications for nationals of CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries), which includes Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Timor-Leste, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Citizens of these nations have traditionally found Portugal to be an accessible and appealing destination for migration, employment, and family reunification.

Among them, Brazilians represent the largest foreign community in Portugal, many of whom immigrate for work and later seek to bring family members. The new measures are expected to limit these possibilities, potentially restricting family-based immigration for one of Portugal’s most established migrant groups.

With multiple facets of the immigration system now under review—from residence permits to citizenship applications—the government’s message is clear: Portugal is ushering in a new era of more selective and controlled migration policies. 

By fLEXI tEAM